Facts, myths, and alternatives to government healthcare programs
Many people believe they can rely on the government for all their long-term healthcare related issues, however this is not a real solution for a high majority of the population. While there are benefits to using government programs, there are a lot of misconceptions as well. “The majority of Americans do not plan in advance to fund long term care (LTC) so the government program Medicaid pays for 40% and Medicare pays for 23%. *” This leaves a significant short-fall the people have to pay out of their savi…

Despite your best efforts to defend yourself, sometimes disaster strikes, and that means you should always be ready for the unexpected. When you’re not prepared for home emergencies you never know how bad it could get. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for anything! The right emergency gear will help you protect your home and family, as well as deal with unpleasant realities like a post-storm power outage or broken windows.

Here are some critical practices and tips to remember when dealing with a home emergency.
Have an Emergency Fund
It’s important to have mo…

We often hear how hard it is for caregivers and seniors to deal with the idea of an adult child “parenting” his or her aging parent. The notion of child-parent role reversal has taken on a life of its own and it is now common that a daughter or son will start becoming a parent to his or her parent. Many adult children, called the Sandwich Generation, experience this change while also raising their own children or caring for their grandchildren.

As adults, our journey has been to separate from our parents and become individuals. As parents age and become…

Is your home accessible enough to support you through your aging process?
Home accessibility is a recent trend that is gaining popularity among those looking to purchase or remodel a home. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) surveyed residential architects and found two-thirds of respondents said in-home accessibility features, like wider hallways, fewer steps, ramps, etc., are the most popular new trend with their customers. While it’s a new concept to many, Friends Life Care has been chartering this territory for its members for quite some time.

The concept o…

Becoming a caregiver of a loved one stirs up many varied emotions.  It doesn’t matter if you become a caregiver gradually or suddenly, or if you are a caregiver by choice or default. Caregiving can be tough both emotionally and physically.
Facts about the impact of family caregiving
In a recent interview with LovetoKnow Seniors, Suzanne Geffen Mintz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association, provided some facts about the impact of family caregiving which may surprise you:

There are over 50 million family caregivers in the United State…